Kamen is located in the Ruhr region of Germany at the crossroads of two of the country’s major highways: the A1 and A2. This location means that Kamen is a welcoming place for visitors from all around the world (although a bit noisy due to these nearby Autobahns).

The town is proud of its many cultural opportunities, and if you visit there be sure to see the Galerie Kamen. This is a network of four different buildings throughout the town, which showcase artistic works from near and far. Exhibitions change about ten times during a calendar year and might feature photography, sculpture, paintings, or graphic arts.

The Concert Hall in the town offers productions for children and adults alike. You can see dramatic “comedies and thrillers,” or plays that will appeal equally to youngsters and their parents. The Hall also showcases regular symphonic concerts, an oratorio choir, and performances by the students at the Municipal School of Music.

If you enjoy being active while traveling, you will find many opportunities in Kamen. There are several swimming pools, both indoor and out, and a large network of hiking and bicycle trails that can provide scenic half and whole day excursions.

The town is proud of the many playgrounds and soccer fields that provide safe places for children to play. The Kamen Sports Center offers state-of-the-art facilities for enthusiasts of track and field, basketball, football and many other sports. It is also a meeting place for coaches, trainers, and others involved in athletics that come to the center for conferences and clinics of all kinds. Professional sports teams often use the facility as a training ground.

There are several annual festivals in Kamen that appeal to many people. You may want to participate in the Old Town Festival, Dragon KITE Festival, or the Festival of the Kamen Fountain.

Whenever you visit this friendly and attractive town, you are sure to find something to please.

Hennef (Sieg), on the River Sieg, is a lovely combination of urban and rural. It is also known as Stadt der 100 Dörfer (Town of 100 Villages) because it houses nearly 100 districts and former independent townships within its political borders.

Hennef offers great restaurants, shopping, and cultural events, as well as beautiful scenery and landscapes that will delight nature lovers. There are miles of well-marked hiking and biking trails that allow you to enjoy the river valley, open meadows, and wooded areas with ease.

Perched high above the River Sieg (which translates to Victory), you will find the medieval Stadt Blankenberg — a former independent township and now district of Hennef. The earliest portions of this well-preserved fortification date from about 1180. Many parts of the wall remain unchanged from the 13th century.

St Catherine’s Church lies within the town and has been refurbished to showcase wall paintings from the 1200’s and 1300’s. The Tower Museum is situated in St. Catherine’s tower and is open throughout the spring, summer, and early fall.

In 1883, two residents of Hennef invented a tool, which proved to be very useful for commerce and trade around the world. Carl Reuther and Eduard Reisert built the first calibratable automatic balance scale that year. There is an interesting exhibit hall in Hennef that traces the importance of this invention and other weights and scales in history.

The town has put together a “Weigher Walking Way” for visitors which consists of 22 stops around the town and museum that gives participants an in-depth knowledge of the usefulness of these devices.

Each September Hennef holds a Town Festival which welcomes nearly 100,000 people from many countries with music, trade shows, shopping, food and drink. You can go dancing each evening, try bungee jumping, and enjoy many other activities. Bands and musicians perform in a variety of styles including 40’s and 50’s, blues, swing, rock and pop.

There are also special events for children at the festival including theater shows, creative games, and other activities.

Leonberg is most famous as the birthplace of a breed of dogs known as the Leonberger. These massive canines were developed by crossing Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees dogs. The result is a huge and lovable breed that makes great family pets and companions.

If you visit the town you will find that the people who live in Leonberg are proud of their namesakes and will be glad to show you examples of the breed and explain their virtues to you.

Residents of Leonberg are also proud of their carefully restored and preserved historic sights. You will want to see the town square or marketplace, which is surrounded by lovely half-timbered houses that date back to the 15th through 17th centuries. The square is the location for many special events like flea markets, Christmas Bazaars, and an annual horse market.

A fountain built in 1566 stands at the center of the marketplace and features a statue of a man bearing the town’s coat of arms. Other structures you will want to see include the remains of a Franciscan Monastery, parts of the old town wall and the Castle Leonberg.

Several walking tours have been planned by the town, which will give you information and exercise at the same time. There is a “Walk of Remembrance” which takes you on a tour of the life, work, and death of prisoners that were held in a concentration camp during World War II.

Another tour begins at the home of the poet Christian-Wagner, and has 11 stops along its route through meadows and forests where you can read poems and learn about the poet. Other tours will take you to an ancient wine press, historic homes and stately churches.

There are numerous museums in the town that are well done. Be sure to see the Farmhouse Museum which was built in 1616 and showcases tools and artifacts of rural life. The City Museum chronicles the history of the town from the Neolithic Age forward, and the Library houses an impressive art collection.

Alsdorf is located in the center of Germany’s historic coal-mining district and the town has received commendation for its efforts in reclaiming some of the landfill waste dumps left from the operation of the Anna Mine.

A large area in the center of town has been re-cultivated and turned into a beautiful park. Contaminated ground was treated thermally and the area was then covered with usable topsoil. Now the town can boast about its shopping center, playground, mining museum, and commercial properties that add much to the lives of its citizens.

Located near the border of three countries (Germany, Belgium, Netherlands), Alsdorf is also the host town for a European Festival held each September. This event is a celebration of the partnership and cooperation of the people from different nations that provides fun and entertainment for all age groups.

Art exhibits, book fairs and sales, historical lectures, tours, and other special activities take place over the course of four days. The whole experience culminates with a musical fireworks display in the town square. Throughout the festival, there are carnival rides and other attractions especially designed to please children, teens, and the young at heart, as well.

Movie lovers will not want to miss a visit to the Cinetower Kinopark in Alsdorf. Before each feature film begins, audiences are treated to a multimedia light and sound show like no other. Surround-sound and pyrotechnic-like lighting produce a ten-minute display that is sure to impress moviegoers.

The Stadthalle Alsdorf (a Town Hall) is a new structure that gives testament to the importance of cultural events to the town. The versatile location can be configured in several different ways to make it suitable for dramatic productions, conventions, lectures, art exhibits, and concerts. The building also contains a restaurant and bowling alley, and is the pride of its citizens.

Gotha is located in central Germany in the province of Thuringia. Charlemagne mentioned its name in writings from the 8th century.

The town’s most famous landmark is the Friedenstein Castle, which was built between 1643 and 1655. It is the oldest Baroque palace in the entire country of Germany and is a three-winged building with low towers on its corners. It took more than 1000 construction workers and craftsmen to complete the structure.

The castle museum contains a large collection of artwork and other cultural artifacts. One of the most interesting pieces is a painting called Gotha Lovers, which was done in the 15th century. It is the oldest painting known to have two people in it.

The Ekhof Theater is found in the castle’s West tower. It is a functioning baroque-era theater and contains equipment that dates back to the 1680’s. It is the first theater in the country to have permanently-employed actors on staff.

The castle is surrounded by a huge park, which features many varieties of trees and plants. In one corner of the park you will find a lovely building called the Orangerie. Royalty used such structures for growing oranges and other fruits in large pots during the winter. The buildings had many south-facing windows, which made them suitable for the job. Today the Orangerie is home to a cafe and a library.

Elsewhere in Gotha, you will want to visit the Renaissance-style town hall built in 1567. Its facade on the north side is richly ornate and well worth seeing.

As far as events are concerned, in late July and early August Gotha hosts Freakstock, which is a Christian Music Festival. It is a gathering of praise and worship singers and bands that provides concerts and teaching for all visitors. All types of Christian music are represented there and concerts are usually free for everyone.

The twin cities of Rheda-Wiedenbrück are located on ancient trade routes in the North Rhine-Westphalia section of Western Germany. It is a lovely and historic area and is said to have seen Roman incursions as early as 1 B.C..

Charlemagne is thought to have spent much time in the region and fought some of the battles of his Saxon wars nearby. The town’s Heritage Museum has displays that track some of the early history and pre-history of the region. You can also learn a lot about medieval life there.

Both the Wiedenbrück and Rheda sections of the municipality have historic old quarters that date back to previous centuries.

If you visit you must take time to stroll along the Lange Straße (Long Road) in Wiedenbrück. It is filled with block after block of half-timbered houses that will take you back to a by-gone era. They are not just museum pieces, but homes that shelter residents who take pride in the history and previous glory of the place where they live.

St. Aegidius Church is found just off of the Wiedenbrück Town Square. Its construction is thought to have begun about 785 and finished in 1502. Interior features of note in the church include its pulpit, baptismal font, and beautiful rosary window.

The Virgin Mary Church is also worth a visit. You will particularly want to see an archway that connects the church to a Franciscan Monastery across the road.

If you’re after something different, you may want to consider a night’s stay in the Romantik Hotel Ratskeller. It is a half-timbered structure that has been carefully renovated and is filled with inscriptions and carvings.

The old town of Rheda has been similarly restored and maintained. Here you will find a collection of artisan’s homes that feature several different architectural styles. Each home and shop has a symbol on the pavement in front of it that indicates the business or craft that was carried on there.

Rheda Castle, standing guard over the town, hosts a gourmet festival each August, which delights visitors from near and far. The castle combines several styles of architecture including a chapel from the 13th century and Baroque and Renaissance wings.

While in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, visit the Carriage House museum with its collections of toys and costumes.

Herzogenrath is found at the extreme western edge of Germany. In fact, the border between Germany and the Netherlands runs down part of its main street! I was there a few times and found it quite thrilling to cross countries when crossing a simple street. :-)

Herzogenrath was founded in the 12th century on the Wurm River and originally known as Rode. Throughout its long history, the town has been under French, Spanish, Dutch and Austrian control, before becoming part of Prussia in 1815.

Construction on Castle Rode was begun about 1104, and it still stands today as the center of its culture. There are concerts, dramatic programs, and other events held there throughout the year. Some of the highlights include a Christmas marketplace, an Advent concert, and a “bubble tower” and concert held on New Year’s Eve.

Because the castle is centrally located within a few minutes of several parking areas, events are easy to attend. A Castle Fair is held every June, which features attractions and activities for residents and visitors both young and old. You can also find art exhibitions there, cabaret performances, and classical concerts by well-known artists from around Europe.

The atmosphere of the castle lends a special grace to all the events that are held there. Historic tours of the castle are also available. They can be arranged to suit a group or individual and are sure to be educational.

While in Herzogenrath, you should consider some outdoor activities such as barbecuing, bicycling, mini-golf, or skating. These and other recreations are supported by the town and a variety of fields and courts are available for the sporting public to use.

Adolph Park is an area the citizens are especially proud of, as it has reclaimed some of the land formerly used for coal mining. It turned unsightly slag heaps into a lovely area full of natural beauty.

Lastly, there are biking and hiking trails along the Wurm River that provide a pleasant way to see the countryside.

Cuxhaven, a beautiful town located on the North Sea, is regarded as a health resort town. So if you’re looking to kick back and relax, then this is definitely the place for you.

Beyond being a health resort town, it is also regarded as one of Germany’s most prominent fishing ports.

Your first stop on your trip should be the Countryfolk’s Cathedral, also known as the Bauerndom. The church has a beautifully decorated Baroque interior and also contains an organ by A. Wilde and Arp Schnitger.

You can’t afford to miss the fishing harbor and the fish market. You’ll get to experience all this fishing port has to offer by attending the fish auction at 7 A.M. Call ahead to confirm a guided tour is being offered on the day you want to attend.

The Kurpark Beacon is the next place you’ll want to visit. This is located in the Döse district. There is a large wooden spherical beacon located at the end of the long pier which serves as a landmark as well as a town symbol.

Don’t forget to check out the sea lion pool and bird meadow, too!

To get a feel for the background of the town visit the Lütt Shipping Museum. It boasts exhibitions of all kinds of nautical equipment and locally-made boats.

Something you won’t want to miss is the islands of Neuwerk and Scharhörn. You can reach Neuwerk various ways. Take a boat or if the water is low enough, you can take a horse-drawn carriage. :-) Or travel there by foot at low tide.

Neuwerk has a beautiful lighthouse which served as a defensive tower during the 13th and 14th centuries. It was converted to a lighthouse in the early 1800’s. To see amazing views of the area, climb to the top of the lighthouse. You can also visit the historic cemetery of nameless seamen while there.

After visiting Neuwerk, you may want to take a guided walk to Scharhörn. The island hosts a very high beacon as well as a beautiful seabird sanctuary that you won’t want to miss.

If you came to Cuxhaven, like many, for some rest and relaxation, then visit the seaside resort of Duhnen. The resort is just west of the town’s center and boasts a wonderful beach, an indoor wave pool, and of course, a spa facility.

After getting your massage at Duhnen, make a stop at the Puppet Museum. Children and adults alike love this museum which has theater puppets from various countries throughout the world.

If you’d like to gain even more historical knowledge of this seafaring town, visit the neo-classical Reyersches Haus. Built around 1780, this house hosts the Municipal Museum which provides an array of historical seafaring and shipping exhibits.

Or what about the exciting Wreck Museum. It is located in Cuxhaven’s Stickenbüttel district and provides a history on sea rescue as well as various items from shipwrecks.

All in all, this beautiful seafaring town will most certainly provide you with a place to rest and relax as well as to gain some interesting insight into an exciting fishing village and seaport.

You will immediately be delighted by Waiblingen’s appealing scenery. As you walk over the historic market place snap some pictures of the beautifully renovated half timbered houses arranged in lovely groups.

As you make your way through the picturesque arcades linger amid the soothing sounds of running water in some of the town’s impressive fountains. There are 35 of them!

You can also take your pick of bridges to stroll about on. There are 50 bridges in Waiblingen!

Then there’s the marvelous Rathaus (Town Hall), standing regally at the head of a square. And don’t miss the lovely historic churches. The oldest of these is the St. Nikolaus church dating back to 1269.

The colorful and fragrant pharmacist garden will surely catch your attention with its geometric paths, and beautiful variety of medicinal plants. The plants are arranged according to the individual organs they are used to treat. How’s that for a landscape design.

For a truly magnificent view climb the High watch tower (which is older than the city walls), or if you’d prefer, there is also the 13th century Beinsteiner gate tower featuring graffito paintings.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite climbing all those stairs you’ll be ready for some delicious German food which you can accompany with some excellent local brew for a comforting and satisfying meal.

For a more modern experience, check out the glass-roofed passage in the Marktgasse where you can do some shopping in a leisurely pedestrian friendly environment. The milling works also provide an interesting little tour. Today the works are used to generate electricity with no impact on the environment. You can watch them in action from behind glass.

Considered the City of Water, Nordhorn is located in the southwest of Lower Saxony. The town has a great walking area with the city center being encompassed by the river Vechte.

They plan many activities and festivals to entice visitors such as the Nordhorner October and the Street Culture Festival. There are many theater and performing arts presentations as well as a great number of hotels, and many dining and shopping selections.

Visit the Frenswegen Monastery. Step back in time when you pass through the walls of this great monastery.

Or pay a visit to the family zoo. The Nordhorn Animal Park is the place that over 85 species of animals call home. Over nine hundred animals in all, with the wood bison serving as mascot. The park works hard to conserve native species of animals as well as preserve domestic animals that have become rare.

The Bunte Bentheimer pigs, for example, and ancient domestic pig, has a conservation association of its own. Lovers of animals can help support the zoo and its works by selecting and sponsoring their own animal. This is a great place to learn about the animals, where they live and how they live.

Besides, there is a cafe with lots of nice trees for a sit and relax opportunity. There is also a petting zoo as well as a play area near the cafe so that the kiddies can play while you relax. The park also has several picnic areas around the park for family picnics.